By Vincent Lewis
SJSports Staff Writer
vlewis@sjsports.com
It was a battle between two of the top teams from the Olympic Conference, each winning all of their games so far this season. Camden Catholic was hosting the Lady Tigers from Woodrow Wilson that neither team wanted to lose. This game came down to Woodrow Wilson coming up with several key defensive plays late in the game. Shalamar Oakley's basket finally put Wilson ahead for good with just over two minutes remaining. Aggressive defense with the lead was enough to give Woodrow Wilson (6-0) a 49-43 victory and hand Camden Catholic their first loss of the season.
The final quarter was the most entertain minutes of the game. Camden Catholic's Kelly Killion would tie the game and put the Irish up early in the quarter, 36-34, when she drained two free throws. Wilson's DeVaughn Hailey and Oakley's baskets regained the lead only to be tied up again when Anne Bilinski converted her layout with 2:51 remaining. The Irish controlled the offensive boards getting second and third chances to knot this game at 38-38.
Coach Chris Palladino had some words to say to his team, as the emphasis on controlling the boards was their main objective down the stretch. After that timeout, Wilson went on a 7-2 run to pull away in the final quarter. Oakley put the Tigers ahead again, but it was Takeesha Carter's hustle that gave them some breathing room. Carter established good position under the offensive boards and made two big free throws. She was not done as she stole the inbounds pass and scored giving Wilson a six-point lead with 79 ticks left on the clock. Time was on the Tigers side as they were able to hold on for the road victory.
In the first quarter, Camden Catholic and Woodrow Wilson had trouble putting points on the scoreboard. It was surprising as both of these teams can score an abundant amount of points. The Irish has averaged 61 points per game so far, holding their opponents to 40 ppg. Wilson, averaging almost 73 ppg, has been holding their opponents to just under 40 points. The defense highlighted this match up as both teams combined score was just in the nineties.
Woodrow Wilson would make a 9-3 run right before the half to pull ahead. The visiting crowd watched their Lady Tigers build a six point lead in the third quarter only to see it disappear on Kelly Killion's two consecutive 3-pointers. That excitement would carry over in the fourth quarter.
